June 20, 2010
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Once when Jesus is praying in solitude with his disciples, he asks them: "Who do the crowds say that I am?" (It is a safe enough question.) But then Jesus makes it very personal: "Who do you say I am?" Peter responds: "The Christ of God." Peter stumbles on an answer that he doesn't fully understand. Jesus directs them not to tell anyone until they comprehend what "Christ of God" entails. The Son of Man must suffer and die. Anyone wishing to follow "the Christ," must deny himself and take up his cross. Whoever wishes to save his life must lose it; whoever loses his life will save it.
This particular scripture of Peter having a special bond with Jesus is significant for us on Father's Day. Fathers can relate to Simon Peter. We assume Simon Peter was a father. Jesus comes to Simon's house and heals his mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39). We know Simon is a fisherman. Jesus employs Peter and friends for a great catch of fish. Peter is overwhelmed and confesses his own sinfulness. Jesus calls Simon to be a fisher of men (Luke 5: 1-11). Peter is with Jesus in prayer and acknowledges him as the Messiah (Luke 9: 18-24). Jesus foretells both Peter's denial and his restoration to strengthen the brothers (Luke 22: 31-34). After the death of Jesus, Peter hurries to the empty tomb after hearing astonishing news from the women and then the Risen Lord appears to him (Luke 24: 1-35).
There is no shortage of evidence that our culture is an experiencing a crisis of fatherhood. Tragically, more than one third of children in the United States do not live with their fathers. Fathers play a critical role in the moral and spiritual development of the their children. Simon Peter sets a good example. He is a man, husband and father, willing to pray quietly and say publicly who Jesus is for him. A key dimension of fatherhood is sharing faith. Let us give thanks and pray for our Dads living and deceased.
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Corpus Christi - First Holy Communion
